Cub Scouts and Webelos made 453 Tic-Tac-Toe boards while attending Day Camp and Resident Weekends at Camp Snyder this summer. That’s a lot of games!!! The process started with a short safety briefing and then each youth selected and marked their “blank” using our custom templates. The Cub Scouts then entered the shop and were guided through three work stations where they cut, drilled and sanded to create their very own game boards. Upon completion, youth were able to brand their game boards with the coveted “Handcrafted in Michael’s Woodshop” image.
This was a great hands-on activity that was enjoyed by all youth who attended camp. To see more great photos from the activity, please check out our slideshow: Summer Camp in Michael’s Woodshop. This was the first summer that Michael’s Woodshop was fully integrated into the camp activity program and camp staff and volunteers are looking forward to making this a regular summer camp offering.
Michael’s Woodshop operates year-round and is a great venue for Scouts to create and learn. We offer a number of regular and seasonal activities such as merit badge classes, woodworking skills classes and of course our annual Pinewood Derby Days! The shop may also be reserved for Den activities like our Baloo the Builder and Webelos Build It Workshops and for many other events such as Troop merit badge sessions, conservation projects and Eagle Scout Projects.
Please visit the Michael’s Woodshop webpage for more information about the shop capabilities and upcoming events or for information about reserving the shop. If you have questions or would like additional information, please email the volunteer team at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com
Is it too early to start inspiring our future generation of scientists? Heck No! That’s what 50 Cub Scouts, boys and girls ranging in age from 6 – 10, discovered while having “Fun with a Purpose” exploring becoming scientists at the STEM-focused Aquia District Cub Scout Day Camp held at Pratt Park in Fredericksburg, from June 28 – July 2. The Founder of Scouting, Lord Baden-Powell said: “A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room.” And did this ever prove to be true – Everyone left already excited about coming back for next year’s Camp!
Elena Ziu discovered Michael’s Woodshop while her son was working on his Woodworking MB. The shop reminded her of her days at the University of Virginia where as an experimental physicist she often modified or built parts for her experimental apparatus in a machine shop. Elena has been active in Scouting since 2016 and currently serves as NCAC STEM Counselor and Powhatan Crew 160 Advisor.
Ayaan A. is an Eagle Scout with Troop 1548. While working on his Eagle Scout Project in Michael’s Woodshop, he was “bitten” by the woodworking bug (we would apologize, but it would not be sincere…). Ayaan has a goal of earning a Gold Congressional Service Award (requires 400 service hours) and has decided to combine his new interest in woodworking with his desire to serve others.
Mihai Z. is a First Class Scout with Troop 160. He loves playing trumpet and serves as bugler for his Troop. Mihai completed the Woodworking MB Spring 2021 and now has three hobbies he loves: woodworking, model rocketry, and 3D model design and printing. Mihai is already excited to try out our newly donated CNC machine. (And the adult volunteers are happy to have a teenager around to teach us how to use it!)